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Groundbreaking Event May 6, 2013

About 75 Flat Rock officials, organization representatives and community members gathered Monday at Huroc Park to celebrate the groundbreaking for the final one-mile stretch of bike path being constructed by the Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative. The groundbreaking commemorates the final part of the 24-mile trail connecting Belleville Lake to the shores of Lake Erie through the Oakwoods Metropark. Co-chair Anita Twardesky emceed the hourlong event.

Introducing guest speakers at Monday’s groundbreaking event at Huroc Park is Anita Twardesky, co-chair of the Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative, one of the organizations responsible for the creation of the trail system. The one-mile trail being constructed this spring and summer is the final piece of a 24-mile pathway that connects Belleville Lake to the shores of Lake Erie. “Our bridge to nowhere will now go somewhere,” Twardesky said.

Flat Rock Mayor Jonathan Dropiewski speaks Monday at a groundbreaking project at Huroc Park. Dropiewski said he and the community are looking forward to finishing the Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative, which has been in the works for more than 10 years. He said the park and its trail system are “an important part of the Downriver community.”

Breaking ground at Huroc Park on Monday are Mary Bohling (left), Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative co-chair; Tom Woiwode, director of the community foundation for southeastern Michigan’s Greenways Initiative; Mark Cochran, a representative for the office of U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-12th District); Mayor Jonathan Dropiewski; Rodney Stokes, special adviser for city placemaking to Gov. Rick Snyder; John McCulloch, director of Huron-Clinton Metroparks; and Anita Twardesky, Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative co-chair. The groundbreaking commemorates the final stretch of the 24-mile trail connecting Belleville Lake to the shores of Lake Erie. Photo by Laura Zoochi

A map displaying the Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative trail system was on display for attendees Monday. About 75 people were at Huroc Park for the groundbreaking of the final stretch of the east-west connector trail. Partnering with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Transportation and other groups, the Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative strives to connect southeastern Michigan for non-motorized use.